Government Reform
RESTORING THE INTEGRITY OF THE POLITICAL PROCESS
“When I arrived in the Senate in 1993, I decided that my office would abide by the Wisconsin Code of Ethics for Public Officials and Employees and the same ethical rules that I had observed as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate. Since then, I have enforced a strict ban on accepting work-related gifts for myself and my staff.
When first campaigning for the Senate in 1992, I promised Wisconsinites that I would not accept a pay raise during my term in office. I have kept that promise, and have continued my vigilance against “backdoor” pay raises for members of Congress. Because members of Congress have the power to raise their own pay, and because they are paid with taxpayer money, the congressional pay raise process deserves the highest level of scrutiny.
We’ve been successful in the areas of campaign finance and lobbying and ethics reform in recent years and I will continue to push efforts to make our government more open and accountable to the American people.”
- Senator Russ Feingold
• Curbing Gifts and Privately Funded Travel: The new law ended the practice of lobbyists, or organizations that employ lobbyists, giving gifts to senators or staff, and required senators, senate campaigns, and presidential campaigns to fully reimburse companies at the charter rate for the use of corporate jets . The bill also limits privately funded travel paid for by groups that lobby to one-day events only – with preapproval by the Senate Ethics Committee. Travel reports for individuals will also now have to be publicly disclosed on the Internet. These provisions build on Russ’s work with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) in 1995 to place restrictions on gifts.
• Prohibiting Elaborate Parties for Members of Congress at Party Conventions: The new law ended this practice once and for all.
• Slowing the Revolving Door Between Congress and Lobbying Groups: The new law increases the time senators and senior executive branch personnel have to wait before taking a high-paying lobbying job from one to two years. It expands the ban on former Senate staff lobbying their former boss to include contacts with the entire Senate. It requires more disclosure of lobbyists’ previous employment, ends special privileges extended to former members who are now registered lobbyists, and limits the contacts that staff of a senator can have with family members of their boss who may be lobbyists.
Russ has also introduced legislation [S. 3713] to toughen post-employment restrictions on high level government employees who wish to lobby for foreign governments or businesses. Under this bill, the ex-employees would have to wait five years to undertake such representation.
• Improving Lobbying Disclosure: The legislation increases both the frequency and amount of disclosure by both lobbyists and members, and requires that such disclosure be made easily available to the public online.
Making Court Proceedings More Accessible to the Public – Russ has long supported and cosponsored the Sunshine in the Courtroom Act – a bill that authorizes the presiding judge of a Federal district or appellate court to permit the electronic recording/televising of public court proceedings, as long as a jury is not televised and as long as no one’s due process rights are violated.
Keeping an Eye on “Czars” – Russ held the first Senate hearing on so-called “czars” – executive branch officials with broad responsibilities who may not be subject to adequate congressional oversight. While the problem may have been overstated in the press and public discussion, Russ has introduced the Czar Accountability Act to assure that Congress is adequately informed of the identity and duties of advisors who report directly to the President and assured that these advisors do not require confirmation by the Senate.
Recognition of Senator Feingold’s Work on Government Reform – Russ has been honored by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign for his work to help ensure honest government. He’s also been recognized by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group and Democracy Matters for his work on clean and fair elections.
Read more on Russ's efforts on Campaign Finance Reform
